Planning a trip to Cape Verde is straightforward once you know the basics, but a little practical knowledge will save time and help you choose the right island. This section brings together the planning guides travellers use most: climate, time difference, currency and everyday travel advice.
Use this hub as your practical starting point before you book flights, compare islands or decide the best month to travel.
Cape Verde travel tips at a glance
The key facts before you book the trip.
| Start with | Climate and best time to visit |
| Then check | Time difference and flight timing |
| Before you go | Currency, cards, cash and rough costs |
| Best for | First-time visitors and independent planners |
Climate and best time to visit
Cape Verde is known for sunshine, warmth and a relatively dry climate. The key differences lie between beach islands, mountain islands and the short late-summer rainy window. If you want the easiest all-round travel conditions, late autumn to early summer is the safest broad recommendation.
Read the full climate guide
See our detailed Cape Verde climate guide for seasonal patterns, wind and the best months by travel style.
Time difference and jet-lag planning
Cape Verde stays on the same time all year, so the main thing to understand is how the gap changes when Europe switches to summer time. It is a small detail, but useful when choosing flights and arranging onward connections.
Read the time difference guide
See our Cape Verde time difference guide for the exact time gap with the UK and mainland Europe.
Currency, cards and costs
Cape Verde uses the escudo (CVE). In tourist areas you can often use cards, but cash is still important for taxis, small shops and local restaurants. Knowing how the euro relationship works helps a lot when budgeting.
Read the currency guide
See our Cape Verde currency guide for cash, cards, tipping and typical costs.
Choosing the right island
The best island depends on what you want. Sal is the easiest beach holiday, São Vicente is best for music and city atmosphere, Santo Antão is the hiking favourite and Fogo is the landscape star. Explore all our island guides below to find your match.
Entry, flights and getting around Cape Verde
Use these detailed guides to plan the practical parts of the trip before you commit to flights, hotels and inter-island connections.
Cape Verde map
Islands & locations
Visa, EASE & TSA
Entry requirements
Flights to Cape Verde
Routes & booking
Cape Verde airports
Airport guide
Island hopping
Build a route
Ferries
Routes & tickets
Domestic flights
Inter-island air travel
Car rental
Driving & 4x4 tips
Taxis & aluguers
Local transport
Climate
Weather & best time
Time difference
Local time
Currency
Escudos, cards & cash
Frequently asked questions about Cape Verde travel tips
Is Cape Verde easy to plan?
Yes. Once you choose the right island and understand the basics of climate, timing and money, the trip becomes very manageable.
Which island should I start with?
For a first beach trip, start with Sal. For hiking, choose Santo Antão. For culture, look at São Vicente or Santiago.
Do I need cash in Cape Verde?
Yes, at least some. Cards are useful, but cash is still important in many day-to-day situations.
Our tips for your trip to Cape Verde travel tips
- Choose your island before you choose your hotel — the islands are more different than many people expect.
- Build a little flexibility into inter-island travel plans.
- Carry a mix of card and cash.
- For the easiest weather, plan between November and June.